Close X
Sunday, September 22, 2024
ADVT 
National

Burnout, despair facing workers on front lines of poverty and homelessness in Canada

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Oct, 2023 10:58 AM
  • Burnout, despair facing workers on front lines of poverty and homelessness in Canada

Those who work with people facing homelessness and food shortages say employees are carrying a massive emotional burden as demand for services soars beyond what their organizations can provide.

Warren Maddox, executive director at Fredericton Homeless Shelters, in New Brunswick, says staff are witnessing more desperation, more violence and more people in extreme states of crisis.

He says demand from staff on the organization's in-house mental health counsellor has increased and that it's harder to help employees see past what he described as "an unending chain of misery."

Tasha Lackman, executive director at the Depot Community Food Centre, in Montreal, says her group is being forced to make gut-wrenching decisions, including to reduce the amount of food clients get in their baskets. 

She says demand at the food bank is on track to nearly double this year compared to last year, and that staff are working harder but seeing their efforts have less of an impact.

Lackman says it's unconscionable that charities are forced to bear the brunt of what she calls a "massive systemic social crisis."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Sask. premier accuses Trudeau of risking trade with India, hiding status of talks

Sask. premier accuses Trudeau of risking trade with India, hiding status of talks
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's government is accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of damaging relations with India and keeping the provinces in the dark about trade talks. In a letter Moe released Monday, Saskatchewan Trade Minister Jeremy Harrison argued Trudeau is picking a fight with India for domestic political gain and risking access to one of his province's most important export markets.  

Sask. premier accuses Trudeau of risking trade with India, hiding status of talks

Collision involving police cruiser

Collision involving police cruiser
Two Vancouver Police officers and a driver were sent to hospital this morning after a collision between an unmarked police car and a private vehicle. Police say on the social media site X that all three had non-life-threatening injuries.

Collision involving police cruiser

Surrey councillor says to move past back and forth on Surrey police transition

Surrey councillor says to move past back and forth on Surrey police transition
A Surrey councillor says it's time the city's mayor and supporters "get past" their opposition to the Surrey Police Service and lead Surrey and its police board toward a transition away from the R-C-M-P. Mayor Brenda Locke opposes the switch to a municipal force but councillor Linda Annis says "that ship has sailed," and urges Locke to work quickly on the hand over.

Surrey councillor says to move past back and forth on Surrey police transition

Indian PM, in meeting with Trudeau, rebukes Canada on Sikh independence vote

Indian PM, in meeting with Trudeau, rebukes Canada on Sikh independence vote
A statement released by India's Ministry of External Affairs says Modi told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of this weekend's G20 summit in New Delhi that progress in the two countries' relationship requires "mutual respect and trust."  

Indian PM, in meeting with Trudeau, rebukes Canada on Sikh independence vote

B.C. caps allowable rent increases at 3.5 per cent, 2 points lower than inflation

B.C. caps allowable rent increases at 3.5 per cent, 2 points lower than inflation
The British Columbia government has set the allowable rent increase for next year at 3.5 per cent. The rate is more than two percentage points below the 12-month average inflation rate of 5.6 per cent.   

B.C. caps allowable rent increases at 3.5 per cent, 2 points lower than inflation

Replacement plane en route to India to bring Trudeau, Canadian delegation home

Replacement plane en route to India to bring Trudeau, Canadian delegation home
Senior government sources said a technician is headed to India with the part needed to fix the mechanical issue on the original plane, and that the replacement plane will take the Canadian delegation home if the technician is not able to fix the issue. 

Replacement plane en route to India to bring Trudeau, Canadian delegation home